Accelerated evolution and diversifying selection drove the adaptation of cetacean bone microstructure.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The transition from land to sea by the ancestor of cetaceans approximately 50 million years ago was an incredible evolutionary event that led to a series of morphological, physiological, and behavioral adaptations. During this transition, bone microstructure evolved from the typical terrestrial form to the specialized structure found in modern cetaceans. While the bone microstructure of mammals has been documented before, investigations of its genetic basis lag behind. The increasing number of cetaceans with whole-genome sequences available may shed light on the mechanism underlying bone microstructure evolution as a result of land to water transitions.

Results

Cetacean bone microstructure is consistent with their diverse ecological behaviors. Molecular evolution

SUBMITTER: Sun D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6813995 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature